AbemaTV is a Japanese freemium streaming service that offers a variety of content to its audience, including, live broadcasts, movies, TV shows, news, sports, anime, and more.
Unfortunately, it is restricted outside Japan. To watch AbemaTV in Canada, you will need a VPN and connect to a Japanese server to stream all the shows freely.
If you try to unblock AbemaTV in restricted countries like Canada without connecting to a VPN, you will get a geo-restriction message that says:
“Not available in your area”
I was able to unblock news and my favourite shows on AbemaTV in Canada with the help of ExpressVPN. ExpressVPN is our #1 choice.
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How to Watch AbemaTV in Canada
As it’s a freemium service, there is some content such as live broadcasts that can’t be streamed without subscribing to AbemaTV, but you can stream other content like movies, anime, etc.
To stream the free shows on it you will need to connect to the Japanese server of a VPN because it is geo-restricted in countries outside Japan.
Following are the steps to watch AbemaTV in Canada:
Step 1: Choose a reliable VPN (ExpressVPN is our #1 choice)
Step 2: Download and install the ExpressVPN app on your preferred device
Step 3: Connect to the Japanese server i.e. Tokyo
Step 4: Go to the AbemaTV website and enter your age so that it suggests shows based on your age
Step 5: You’ll find an abundance of movies, shows, anime, and other content to watch
Step 6: Select your favourite show and start streaming
Best VPNs to Unblock AbemaTV in Canada?
I tested over 35 VPN services to determine if they could bypass Canada’s restrictions on Abema TV, only the top three succeeded on the first try with fast speeds. These are:
1. ExpressVPN – #1 VPN for Unblocking Abema TV
| Features | Details |
|---|---|
| Global Reach | 3200 servers in 100+ countries |
| Abema TV Unblocking | Servers located in 4 Japanese locations |
| Exclusive deal | $6.67/month (30-day money-back guarantee) |
| Multi-Device Compatibility | Connect up to 8 devices at once – Windows, Android, Mac, and more |
| Enhanced Streaming | Fast and throttle-free streaming with Smart DNS, Split Tunneling, and Lightway Protocol. |
| Top-notch Privacy | Digital privacy with 256-bit Encryption, Kill Switch, and No Log policy. |
ExpressVPN is our recommended choice to effortlessly access Abema TV in Canada by bypassing geo-restrictions with its reliable, high-speed servers.
Speed Test: During a connection to ExpressVPN’s Tokyo server, I achieved an impressive speed of 43 Mbps out of 50 Mbps.
This blazing-fast speed not only allowed me to access Abema TV instantly but also ensured a smooth, buffer-free streaming experience!
More Than Abema TV: With ExpressVPN, you can unlock a wide range of geo-restricted channels and services in Canada, including USA Network, PBS, Frndly TV, Prende TV, Paramount Network, and more.
2. Surfshark- Affordable VPN for Unblocking Abema TV
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Global Coverage | 3000+ servers in 100 countries |
| Abema TV Unblocking | 62 Japanese servers. |
| Price | $2.19/month (30-day money-back guarantee) |
| Device Compatibility | Unlimited devices – Windows, Android, Mac, and more |
| Fast Streaming | Uninterrupted streaming with Higher bandwidth per user, and numerous servers |
| Added Privacy | Secure the connection with Camouflage Mode, AES-256-GCM Encryption, Kill Switch, and No-Logs Policy. |
Surfshark is another top choice for easily unblocking Abema TV in Canada. Its budget-friendly pricing paired with impressive features earns it a strong recommendation.
During testing, I found its performance reliable for unblocking, with features that provide excellent value for its price.
In addition to Abema TV, Surfshark also unlocks a variety of other geo-restricted channels and services in Canada, such as 9Now, 10 Play, TVNZ+, etc.
3. NordVPN – Biggest Server Pool to Unblock Abema TV
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Global Coverage | 6000+ servers in 60 countries |
| Abema TV Unblocking | 130+ Japenese servers |
| Price | $3.39/month (30-day money-back guarantee) |
| Device Compatibility | Up to 6 devices simultaneously – Windows, Android, Mac, and more |
| Enhanced Streaming | Faster streaming with a Wider server range & NordLynx Protocol. |
| Added Privacy | Military-grade encryption, Double VPN, CyberSec, and No logs policy, |
NordVPN is my final recommendation for accessing Abema TV in Canada. Renowned for its extensive server network, it stands out among the top VPNs available online.
When I tested NordVPN for unblocking Abema TV in Canada, it delivered seamless streaming without any throttling or security concerns.
In addition to Abema TV, NordVPN also enables access to a variety of other geo-restricted channels and services in Canada, such as Max, Hulu, Fubo, Sling, etc.
Why Do I Need a VPN to Access AbemaTV in Canada?
Due to geo-restrictions on AbemaTV, it is not accessible in countries other than Japan. To keep watching AbemaTV in Canada, a VPN is required.
By using a VPN and connecting to the Japan server, you will be assigned a Japanese IP address. AbemaTV will then assume that you’re from Japan and will grant you access.
Other than changing your devices’ virtual location, a VPN is also used to keep your online activity private. ExpressVPN is our recommended choice.
Abema TV Subscription Plans
- Priced at ¥960 per month (approximately $6.70 USD).
- Offers a 2-week free trial for new subscribers.
- Benefits include:
- Ad-free viewing experience.
- Access to an extensive on-demand library, including past programs and exclusive content.
- Ability to download videos for offline viewing.
- Option to watch programs from the beginning, even if joining late.
- Viewing of user comments on broadcasts, even after they have aired.
- Discounts on new movie rentals and purchases, such as pay-per-view events.
Best TV Shows on AbemaTV?
AbemaTV is a Japanese streaming service that offers movies, anime, series, etc. If you are confused about what to watch, here’s a list of top and most-watched movies and shows for you:
Shows:
1. Drama
- You Can’t Fool the Wolf
- Today, I Fell in Love
- I Want to Fall in Love with a Love Drama
2. Variety
- Chance Time
- Kamaigachi
- Don’t Be Like Me, Teacher!
3. Anime
- Demon Slayer
- Jujutsu Kaisen
- Attack on Titan
4. Sports
- Major League Baseball 2023
- ABEMA Fighting Channel
- ABEMA Cycling and Auto Racing Channel
Movies:
1. Drama
- Red
- The 8-Year Engagement
2. Romance
- Your Name
- Weathering with You
3. Action
- Rurouni Kenshin: The Final
- Attack on Titan: Chronicle
4. Animation
- Demon Slayer: Mugen Train
- My Hero Academia: Two Heroes
Channels to Watch on Abema TV
Here are some of the channels available on ABEMA TV:
- ABEMA News
- ABEMA Anime
- ABEMA SPECIAL 2
- SPORTS Channel
- Fighting Channel
- Shogi Channel
- Mahjong Channel
Devices Compatible with AbemaTV?
AbemaTV is compatible with the following devices:
- Windows PCs
- Mac computers
- Android smartphones and tablets
- iOS devices (iPhone and iPad)
- Amazon Fire TV
- Android TV
How to Watch AbemaTV on Mobile?
In order to watch AbemaTV on your smartphone, you’d need to follow the steps below:
Step 1: Download and Install the ExpressVPN app on your mobile phone
Step 2: Connect VPN to the Japan server (i.e. Tokyo)
Step 3: Install the AbemaTV app from the Play Store/App Store
Step 4: Once installed, enter your age and gender to find relevant shows
Step 5: Select any show to start streaming
Step 5: Enjoy Streaming!
Other Services/Channels to Watch in Canada
Here are some other international streaming services that you can watch in Canada:
- Access Hayu in Canada
- Access PuhuTV in Canada
- Watch Epix in Canada
- Watch 7Plus in Canada
- Watch Arte TV in Canada
- Watch Zattoo in Canada
- Watch Klowd TV in Canada
FAQs – AbemaTV
Can I watch anime for free on Abema TV?
Yes, all the content except for the live broadcasts is free of cost on Abema TV. You can watch your favourite shows without paying any charges at any time on Abema TV.
How can I switch between channels on ABEMA?
You can switch channels by swiping left or right on the screen. This allows you to easily navigate through different channels.
How do I search for specific programs or content?
Use the search function by entering keywords related to the program title or the names of actors and actresses. This will help you find the content you’re looking for.
How can I adjust the video quality to save data?
In the ABEMA app, you can adjust the video quality settings to reduce data usage. Lowering the quality will decrease data consumption but may affect video clarity.
Is ABEMA available outside of Japan?
ABEMA is primarily available in Japan. Access from other regions is restricted. You can use a VPN to bypass these geo-restrictions.
Can I record programs on ABEMA?
ABEMA does not offer a recording feature. However, you can add programs to your “My List” to watch them later, similar to a recording function.
Conclusion
There are a lot of popular movies and shows to watch on AbemaTV but unluckily, they are only accessible to people living in Japan.
The only way to watch AbemaTV in Canada is with the help of a VPN that changes your virtual location to that of Japan.
ExpressVPN is my recommended VPN service that has amazing speed and has a server in Japan that grants you access to the AbemaTV website.
